Which is the healthiest chocolate?
Chocolate is considered junk food, but it can be healthy- read this. Chocolate comes in so many different forms, but in its basic types, there are basically three- white, milk and dark, in the order of increasing cocoa content.
Photo- White, Milk and Dark Chocolate
We talked about how cocoa contains flavanoids, which are basically heart healthy compounds. Between dark, milk and regular chocolate- dark contains the highest amount of cocoa, then its milk and then its white. Read our previous post on dark chocolate.
Milk chocolate usually contains higher amount of sugar than dark chocolate. And, white chocolate actually does not contain cocoa. It is made from cocoa butter, milk and sugar.
Between milk, white and dark chocolate, their calorific value from sugar and fat is about the same, but flavanoid packed dark chocolate comes out a winner in this race.
Chocolate Health Benefits
You think chocolate is unhealthy because is high in both sugar and fat? Well, it is high in sugar and fat, but its not exactly unhealthy.
Cocoa is rich in flavanoids—the same heart-healthy compounds found in red wine and green tea. Its most potent form is dark chocolate. In a recent study, Greek researchers found that consuming dark chocolate containing 100 milligrams (mg) of flavanoids relaxes your blood vessels, which improves blood flow to your heart.
Photo- Dark Chocolate is Healthy
What about the fat and the calories? The fat is mostly stearic and oleic acids. Yes, it can be high on the calories, so get a bar of chocolate and split it with your friends. A couple of pieces will benefit you, but a whole bar will pack on the pounds!
Among white chocolate, milk chocolate and dark chocolate, know which chocolate is the healthiest? Also, read here about which is the healthiest chocolate bar in India.
